Visicog: NYU Usability

Usability I: Foundations Syllabus

In our class, we'll look at the process of creating a usable website. We'll look at it from the standpoints of the business needs, how to perform usability testing, and how to design with usability in mind. Each class will have lecture and workshop segments.

Course Objectives

Students will be familiarized with best practices, theory, evaluation and testing methodologies. The lab portion of each class will prepare students to evaluate and test websites, as well as to design for better usability.

Course Requirements

General understanding of the capabilities of client-side technologies (HTML, JavaScript, etc), and their interaction with servers. Coding proficiency is not required.

Required Textbooks

Rocket Surgery Made Easy
Steve Krug, New Riders Press. 2010.
Commonly available at Barnes & Noble. Also available from Amazon and BN.com as an inexpensive eBook.

Class Discussion Group

You will receive an invitation to join the class LinkedIn group following the first class.

Grading

To get a "C"

Attendance & Punctuality: 25%

Class Participation: 25%

Homework: 50%

To get an "A":

Do everything required for a "C", and go above and beyond

Speak up, offer your opinion, and ask questions

Do extra work

Do excellent work

Contribute to the class

Course Policies

Because of the collaborative lab nature of the class, each student's participation and attendance is essential. A single missed class will result in a 12.5% reduction in a student's final grade, and two missed classes will not result in a passing grade. Homework must be handed in on time. Students will be expected to be present for the entire duration of each class.

Homework

Please submit all assignments by sending to nyuusability @ visicog.com
Wireframes and designs can be sketched and handed in by hand (as long as they are legible).

Class Website

All slides and homework assignments are maintained here on the class website

Lesson Details

Disclaimer: Lesson details and schedule is subject to change due to current events, guest speaker schedule changes and/or level and interests of students.